The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Patient

There are usually two things on the mind of a mesothelioma patient when they are first diagnosed: first, what are my treatment options; and secondly, how did this happen to me? Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma never smoked and did their best to avoid known toxins in the air. The reason why most individuals, 90%, develop mesothelioma is because of exposure to asbestos at work. The majority of this exposure took place over 30 years ago before the use of asbestos as a fire retardant and insulation were banned. The majority of those who were exposed to asbestos never knew that working with asbestos posed serious health risks and their employers never even provided them with protective equipment.

Treatment options for mesothelioma patients really only exist during early stages of the disease. Once mesothelioma has spread extensively there are few effective treatments and few are ever attempted. When detected early, mesothelioma can be treated with a mixture of surgical removal, radiation and chemotherapy. Although survival rates in later stages of mesothelioma are dismal, new treatments continue to provide options to those in early stages of mesothelioma. The 5-year survival rate of those who are caught early and treated aggressively is 40%. This survival rate is actually misleading as many of those who have mesothelioma are older individuals which may have unrelated illnesses which significantly affect survival rate.

A mesothelioma patient may have legal options. Since the majority of mesothelioma cases were caused by asbestos exposure after most employers knew of the dangers of asbestos, employers are often found responsible for asbestos exposure and the effects of the cancer which later developed. To pursue their legal options, a patient diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact a lawyer experienced with mesothelioma lawsuits. Only a lawyer with mesothelioma experience can fully advise clients about all possible legal options.